Loaded Beef Tostadas

Welcome to a culinary journey that promises flavor, speed, and endless customization! These Beef Tostadas are more than just a meal; they’re a vibrant celebration of Mexican-inspired cuisine, perfect for any night of the week. Featuring crispy tostada shells generously topped with creamy refried beans, a savory spiced ground beef mixture, and an array of your favorite fresh toppings, this recipe is designed to be on your table in under 30 minutes. It’s no wonder they’ve become a beloved staple in our home, offering a delightful crunch and an explosion of taste with every bite.

Looking for more effortless, Mexican-inspired weeknight dinners that burst with flavor? Be sure to explore our Beef Enchilada Casserole for a hearty baked dish, our Taco Casserole for a comforting layered meal, or these Taco Lettuce Wraps for a lighter, refreshing alternative. Each offers a unique twist on classic flavors, guaranteeing delicious satisfaction.

If you’re in pursuit of a dinner recipe that masterfully combines speed, simplicity, and irresistible deliciousness, your search ends here. In our household, ground beef tostadas aren’t just a meal; they’re a cherished tradition. My husband, for instance, has always favored the open-faced delight of a tostada over the more traditional taco, appreciating the generous canvas for toppings. The beauty of tostadas lies in their incredible versatility—the combinations are truly endless, allowing everyone at the table to craft their ideal meal. Best of all, they come together remarkably fast, making them an ideal choice for those busy evenings when time is of the essence but flavor cannot be compromised.

What Exactly Is a Tostada?

For those new to the world of Mexican cuisine, you might be wondering, “What is a tostada?” At its heart, a tostada is a wonderfully simple yet incredibly satisfying Mexican dish. The foundation begins with a corn tortilla that has been either fried or baked until it achieves a desirable crispness, forming a firm, flat base. This crunchy disk is then generously piled high with an assortment of toppings, transforming it into what many affectionately describe as a Mexican pizza. Unlike a taco, which is folded, a tostada remains flat, providing an open canvas for a delightful array of ingredients. This structure is precisely what we adore about them; it allows for endless creative combinations and ensures that every family member can personalize their meal. While my children often opt for simpler toppings, my husband and I revel in the joy of piling on a rich variety of flavors and textures, ensuring each bite is a unique experience.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Beef Tostadas

Crafting these delectable beef tostadas requires a selection of fresh, flavorful ingredients that come together to create a harmonious and satisfying meal. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and why each component is crucial:

• Custom Spice Blend: Our carefully balanced mix of spices is designed to infuse the ground beef with an authentic, rich flavor. We combine chili powder, earthy cumin, vibrant paprika, essential salt, aromatic coriander, and a pinch of cayenne pepper for a subtle kick. This blend is the secret to our irresistible beef. For those seeking a shortcut without compromising on taste, a quality store-bought or homemade taco seasoning can be a convenient alternative. Don’t forget a touch of cornstarch, which acts as a thickening agent, ensuring your beef mixture has the perfect consistency.
• Cooking Oil: A good quality oil is essential for sautéing the foundational aromatics. We prefer olive oil for its mild flavor and health benefits, but feel free to use your favorite cooking oil, such as canola or vegetable oil.
• Onion & Garlic: These aromatic powerhouses form the flavor base of our ground beef mixture. Finely chopped onion and minced garlic release their sweet and pungent notes when sautéed, adding depth and complexity to the dish.
• Lean Ground Beef: We recommend using a lean ground beef (e.g., 90/10 or 93/7) to minimize excess fat, which keeps the dish lighter and reduces the need for extensive draining. If you prefer, ground turkey or chicken can also be used for a lighter protein option.
• Beef Broth: While water can technically be used, low-sodium beef broth is highly recommended. It adds a significant boost of savory flavor to the ground beef mixture, enriching its overall taste profile and contributing to a more cohesive sauce.
• Refried Beans: For ultimate convenience, canned refried beans are a fantastic choice, making preparation swift and simple. However, for an unparalleled depth of flavor and creamy texture, we highly encourage trying your hand at homemade refried beans. Whether store-bought or homemade, a splash of water or broth helps achieve the perfect spreadable consistency.
• Tostada Shells: The crispy foundation of our tostadas! While store-bought shells offer unmatched ease, we also provide options for making your own perfectly crisp shells from corn tortillas. See our dedicated section below for more details on preparing these crucial components.
• Fresh Toppings: The grand finale! Tostadas are all about customization. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite toppings further down, ranging from classic cheeses and fresh vegetables to zesty salsas and creamy avocados. These additions elevate the tostadas with diverse textures and vibrant flavors.

Crafting Your Delicious Beef Tostadas: A Step-by-Step Guide

Preparing these satisfying beef tostadas is remarkably straightforward, involving just a few key steps that will have a delicious dinner on your table in roughly 30 minutes. Follow these instructions for a perfect meal every time:

STEP 1: Prepare Your Signature Spice Mixture. Begin by gathering your chili powder, ground cumin, cornstarch, smoked paprika, kosher salt, ground coriander, and cayenne pepper. In a small bowl, thoroughly whisk these spices together until well combined. This ensures an even distribution of flavor throughout your ground beef.

STEP 2: Sauté Aromatics and Brown the Ground Beef. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add your preferred cooking oil. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chopped onion and cook, stirring frequently, until it softens and becomes translucent, typically 3-5 minutes. Next, introduce the minced garlic, stirring for just 30 seconds until fragrant—be careful not to burn it. Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Continue cooking until the beef is fully browned and no pink remains. If your beef has rendered a significant amount of fat, carefully drain any excess at this point.

STEP 3: Infuse with Spices and Simmer. Once the ground beef is browned, sprinkle the prepared spice mixture over the meat and stir well to coat every piece. Pour in the low-sodium beef broth, ensuring it’s evenly distributed. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and continue to cook for approximately 2 minutes, or until the liquid has slightly thickened, thanks to the cornstarch in your spice blend. This creates a rich, flavorful sauce for your beef.

STEP 4: Warm the Refried Beans. While your beef mixture is simmering, transfer the refried beans to a small saucepan. Add a splash of water (about 1-2 tablespoons per can) to slightly thin them out, making them easier to spread. Heat the beans over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until they are warmed through and smooth.

STEP 5: Prepare the Tostada Shells. Arrange your store-bought tostada shells in a single layer on a baking sheet. Place them in a preheated oven (set to 350ºF) for just a few minutes, typically 3-5 minutes. This step is crucial for enhancing their crispness and ensuring they are warm when served, providing the perfect foundation for your toppings.

STEP 6: Assemble and Serve. Now for the best part—assembly! Lay out your warmed tostada shells. Spread a generous layer of the heated refried beans onto each shell. Next, spoon a portion of the savory ground beef mixture over the beans. Finally, unleash your creativity and pile on all of your favorite toppings. Serve your beautifully assembled tostadas immediately to enjoy the ultimate crunchy, flavorful experience!

Perfecting Your Tostada Shells: Store-Bought or Homemade

The foundation of any great tostada is a perfectly crisp shell, and you have excellent options whether you opt for convenience or a homemade touch. In our kitchen, we frequently use store-bought tostada shells for their incredible ease and consistent crispness. My top tip for these ready-made shells is to always warm them in the oven for a few minutes just before serving. This simple step elevates their texture, making them even crisper and more enjoyable, transforming a good tostada into a truly great one. Simply place them on a baking sheet and heat in a 350ºF oven for 3-5 minutes.

However, if you’re feeling adventurous or find your local grocery store out of pre-made shells, making your own at home is surprisingly simple and incredibly rewarding. All you need are corn tortillas! You can either bake them for a healthier, lighter crunch or fry them for a more traditional, deeply satisfying crispness.

Baking Your Own Tostada Shells:

For baked tostada shells, preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC). Lightly brush both sides of each corn tortilla with a small amount of olive oil or cooking spray. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet, ensuring they don’t overlap. Bake for 5-7 minutes per side, or until they turn golden brown and become perfectly crisp. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning, as oven temperatures can vary.

Frying Your Own Tostada Shells:

If you prefer the authentic, rich flavor of fried tostada shells, heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable or canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil reaches about 350ºF (175ºC), carefully place one or two corn tortillas into the hot oil (don’t overcrowd the pan). Fry for 30-60 seconds per side, until golden brown and crispy. Use tongs to flip them and remove them from the oil, placing them on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. Season lightly with salt while still warm, if desired. This method yields a robust flavor and a wonderfully satisfying crunch.

Regardless of whether you choose store-bought or homemade, ensuring your tostada shells are warm and crisp is key to an unforgettable tostada experience.

Elevate Your Tostadas: The Ultimate Toppings Bar

One of the most exciting aspects of making tostadas is the opportunity for endless customization through a vibrant array of toppings. Much like tacos, tostadas truly shine when adorned with an abundance of fresh ingredients, but their flat, open surface allows you to pile on even more! We love to set up a “tostada bar” buffet-style, making dinner interactive and ensuring everyone gets exactly what they desire. While the main components (beef and beans) are cooking, I dedicate time to chopping fresh produce and arranging all the additional toppings in individual bowls. This setup makes it incredibly easy and fun for each family member to construct their perfect tostada, tailored precisely to their taste.

Here are some of our absolute favorite tostada toppings, but remember, the best topping is always the one you love the most, so feel free to get creative and use whatever your heart desires:

• Shredded Cheese: A classic choice! We typically use shredded cheddar for its familiar flavor and excellent melt, but crumbling queso fresco or cotija cheese adds an authentic, salty tang that is absolutely delightful.
• Crisp Lettuce: Finely shredded iceberg or romaine lettuce provides a refreshing crunch and a cool contrast to the warm fillings.
• Diced Onion: Finely chopped red or white onion offers a sharp, pungent bite that brightens the flavors.
• Chopped Tomatoes: Juicy, ripe tomatoes, diced small, add a burst of freshness and a touch of sweetness.
• Fresh Cilantro: A sprinkle of fresh, chopped cilantro lends a distinctive herby, citrusy note that is essential for authentic Mexican flavor.
• Diced Avocado or Guacamole: Creamy avocado adds a luxurious texture and healthy fats. Even better, a dollop of homemade or store-bought guacamole introduces a rich, zesty element.
• Salsa: Whether it’s a mild pico de gallo, a smoky salsa roja, or a vibrant salsa verde, a good salsa adds essential moisture and flavor.
• Sour Cream or Mexican Crema: A dollop of cool sour cream or a drizzle of Mexican crema provides a smooth, tangy counterpoint that balances the spices.
• Sliced Olives: Black olives, thinly sliced, offer a mild, briny flavor that many enjoy.
• Hot Sauce: For those who love heat, a dash of your favorite hot sauce is a must to kick things up a notch.
• Jalapeños: Freshly sliced or pickled jalapeños add a spicy, tangy punch that can truly elevate your tostada experience.

Don’t hesitate to experiment with other additions like pickled red onions, roasted corn, or even a squeeze of fresh lime juice. The goal is to create a symphony of flavors and textures that makes each tostada uniquely yours!

Why You’ll Adore This Beef Tostada Recipe

There are countless reasons why these Beef Tostadas have become a recurring favorite in our family, and why we believe they’ll quickly become a cherished recipe in yours too:

• Lightning-Fast Preparation: In today’s fast-paced world, finding a delicious meal that comes together in just 30 minutes is a game-changer. This recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimal fuss, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you still crave a homemade, satisfying dinner.
• Endlessly Customizable: The tostada acts as a perfect canvas for culinary creativity. With a variety of toppings laid out, every member of the family, from the pickiest eaters to the adventurous foodies, can craft their own personalized masterpiece. This hands-on approach makes mealtime fun and ensures everyone gets exactly what they want.
• Family-Friendly Appeal: The ability to customize isn’t just fun; it’s incredibly practical for families. Kids love building their own meals, and the mild, savory ground beef mixture is generally a hit with all ages. You can easily adjust spice levels or offer a wide range of toppings to suit everyone’s preferences.
• Budget-Conscious Cooking: Utilizing affordable ingredients like ground beef, canned beans, and readily available vegetables makes this recipe an economical choice. It’s a hearty meal that doesn’t break the bank, allowing you to feed a crowd without compromising on taste or quality.
• Irresistible Textural Contrast: The combination of the warm, creamy refried beans, the savory, spiced ground beef, and the crisp tostada shell, all topped with fresh, crunchy vegetables, creates a delightful symphony of textures in every bite. It’s a truly satisfying sensory experience.
• Bold and Authentic Flavors: Our carefully selected spice blend ensures that the ground beef is bursting with classic Mexican-inspired flavors. This rich, aromatic base is the heart of the tostada, making it incredibly flavorful even before you add the vibrant toppings.

Serving Suggestions & Delightful Pairings

While these Beef Tostadas are a complete meal on their own, pairing them with a few simple sides can elevate your dining experience. Consider serving them alongside a light, refreshing Mexican rice or a vibrant corn salad for added texture and flavor. A simple green salad with a zesty lime vinaigrette also makes an excellent complement, balancing the richness of the tostadas. For beverages, classic options like horchata, a refreshing agua fresca, or even a crisp Mexican lager for adults can beautifully complete your meal.

Make-Ahead Tips & Storage Solutions

One of the many benefits of this recipe is its flexibility for meal prepping. You can prepare several components in advance to make dinner even quicker on a busy night:

• Ground Beef Mixture: Cook the spiced ground beef mixture up to 2-3 days ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave before assembling the tostadas.
• Refried Beans: The refried beans can also be warmed and thinned a day or two in advance. Store them in an airtight container and reheat before serving.
• Chopped Toppings: Prepare and chop all your vegetables (lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cilantro) a day ahead. Store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. Avocados should be diced just before serving to prevent browning.
• Tostada Shells: If making homemade baked or fried shells, they can be prepared a day in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Re-crisp them in a preheated oven for a few minutes before serving. Store-bought shells are best warmed right before assembly.

Leftovers: We generally don’t recommend storing assembled tostadas, as the shells will lose their crispness and become soggy. Instead, store the components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reassemble fresh tostadas as desired.

Recipe Variations to Explore

Don’t be afraid to experiment with this recipe to suit your tastes or dietary needs. Here are a few ideas to spark your culinary creativity:

• Protein Swaps:
  • Chicken Tostadas: Substitute ground beef with ground chicken or shredded cooked chicken.
  • Pork Tostadas: Use seasoned ground pork or leftover shredded carnitas for a different flavor profile.
  • Vegetarian Tostadas: Omit the meat entirely and double up on the beans, or use plant-based ground “meat” crumbles.
• Bean Alternatives: Instead of refried pinto beans, try refried black beans or even a layer of whole black beans for a different texture.
• Spicy Kick: For those who love extra heat, increase the cayenne pepper in the spice blend, add a dash of chipotle powder, or incorporate finely diced fresh serrano peppers into your beef mixture.
• Cheese Options: Beyond cheddar and queso fresco, consider Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or a Mexican blend cheese.
• Add a Sauce: Drizzle with a homemade creamy chipotle sauce, a tangy lime crema, or a vibrant avocado crema for an extra layer of flavor.
• Fresh Herbs: Experiment with other fresh herbs like chopped green onions or a touch of oregano.

Expand Your Tostada Horizons

Once you fall in love with these Beef Tostadas, you’ll want to explore even more delicious variations. Discover our other favorite tostada creations:

• Slow Cooker Chicken Tostadas
• Spaghetti Squash Tostadas
• Easy Breakfast Tostadas
• Shrimp Tostadas
• Chicken Tostadas with Poblano Cream Sauce

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Beef Tostadas

★★★★★ (5 from 2 votes)

Author: Deborah Harroun

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 12 servings

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: Mexican

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A cherished recipe in our home, these Beef Tostadas feature perfectly crisp tostada shells, creamy refried beans, a richly spiced ground beef mixture, and all your favorite fresh toppings. It’s the ultimate quick and easy weeknight dinner, ready in just 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 16 oz ground beef (lean recommended)
• 2/3 cup low sodium beef broth
• 2 (16 oz) cans refried beans
• 12 tostada shells
• Desired toppings: shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced onion, salsa, sour cream, avocados, etc.

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF (175ºC).
2. In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, cumin, cornstarch, smoked paprika, salt, coriander, and cayenne pepper.
   

   

3. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. When hot, add the onion and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 3-5 minutes.
4. When the onion is soft, add the garlic and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.
   

   

5. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. If there’s excess fat, carefully drain it.
   

   

6. Stir the prepared spice mixture into the meat, then stir in the beef broth.
7. Bring to a simmer and cook until the mixture is slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.
   

   

8. Place the refried beans in a saucepan and add a small splash of water to thin them slightly. Cook over medium heat until warmed through, stirring occasionally.
   

   

9. Place your tostada shells on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for a few minutes (3-5 minutes), just to heat them through and enhance their crispness.
   

   

10. To build your tostada: spread some warmed refried beans on each tostada shell, then top with a generous spoonful of the ground beef mixture. Pile on your desired toppings.
    

    

11. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Recipe Notes:

Nutrition information provided is an estimate only. Variations in brands and products may alter nutritional values. Please use this information as a general guideline only.

Nutrition information does not include any additional toppings.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1 tostada, Calories: 235kcal (12%), Carbohydrates: 22g (7%), Protein: 12g (24%), Fat: 13g (20%), Saturated Fat: 2g (13%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 27mg (9%), Sodium: 595mg (26%), Fiber: 4g (17%), Sugar: 1g (1%)

Keywords: beef tostada, tostada, tostada recipe, easy Mexican dinner, ground beef recipe